13 Great Weekend Getaways in Virginia

If you’re looking for some top weekend getaways in Virginia, then you’re in the right place! One of my favorite things to do is to go on a long weekend vacation to some of my favorite Virginia towns and attractions! 

Whether you’re interested in exploring some of the best parks, historic sites, wineries, breweries, restaurants, or museums, you’re sure to find something to make your next weekend getaway memorable! 

13 Great Weekend Getaways in Virginia

The following list highlights some of my favorite weekend getaway destinations in Virginia. 

1. Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg is one of the top vacation destinations in Virginia, so you definitely won’t run out of things to do in this historic city! 

Williamsburg is a great weekend trip from Virginia Beach, Charlottesville, Richmond, and even Northern Virginia.

Some of the “can’t miss” attractions include the historic triangle of Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. All three sites feature historic homes, forts, ships, demonstrations, re-enactments, museums, and more. 

Some highlights that I recommend are the excellent and thorough museum at Jamestown, touring the Governor’s Palace and Capitol Building at Colonial Williamsburg, and going on an evening ghost tour of Williamsburg! 

You can learn about even more of my favorite Williamsburg tours that will help you get even more out of your visit! 

Williamsburg has much more than history to offer. For you thrill seekers out there, be sure to check out Busch Gardens Amusement Park and Watercountry USA! 

Merchants Square is also a fun place to explore. The brick sidewalks are lined with boutique shops and some of the best restaurants in Williamsburg. Check out brunch at the Amber Ox Public House, lunch at The Cheese Shop, and dinner at Fat Canary.   

🛏️ Interested in staying in Williamsburg? Book a stay at The Colonial Houses – they have a pool and lots of charm! 🛏️

2. Charlottesville

Charlottesville is another top weekend destination in Virginia. I spent a memorable Labor Day weekend there with friends. 

If you love wine and beer, you will have no shortage of places to visit. Charlottesville and the nearby region are home to over 40 wineries! 

Some of my personal favorites include Veritas Vineyards (I recommend staying for the four-course dinner at The Farmhouse at Veritas), historic Barboursville Vineyard, and Pippin Hill Vineyard. 

If you’re looking for some of the best breweries in the commonwealth, you’ll find plenty to choose from in and around Charlottesville, including Starr Hill Brewery, South Street Brewery, and Three Notched Brewery. 

And of course, Charlottesville is perhaps most famous as the site of Monticello, the home of founding father Thomas Jefferson. I recommend taking a guided tour inside the home. 

Then, take time to explore the property, which includes beautiful gardens, an excellent exhibit highlighting the life of Sally Hemings, and a family graveyard where Jefferson was buried.  

Another major site worth exploring is the University of Virginia, which features beautiful colonial architecture that was designed by Jefferson. 

And when you’re ready to sit down for a meal, head to the Downtown Mall, which is an outdoor mall where you’ll find many of the top restaurants in town, including The Alley Light (for French cuisine), Nook (for brunch), and C&O Restaurant (for French fine dining). 

Learn about even more of the best of Charlottesville, including the best hiking trails and pizza! 

3. Alexandria

Alexandria is a large and varied area in Northern Virginia, covering sprawling suburban areas, parks, shopping malls, and more. However, the section known as Old Town Alexandria is a beautiful historic gem just steps from Washington, D.C. It definitely deserves a spot near the top of any weekend getaway list!

Walking the streets of Old Town Alexandria will transport you back in time to the rich colonial past of Virginia. The sidewalks are brick, and the buildings and houses are classic monuments to centuries past. 

Old Town features many restaurants and boutique shops to explore. I enjoy shopping for vintage clothes and unique furniture at the many local stores. Another highlight of Old Town is the Torpedo Factory Art Center, which is home to the nation’s largest collection of working artists’ open studios!

And you won’t be able to miss the towering George Washington Masonic National Memorial, which is a prominent temple in Old Town. You can book a tour of the memorial to learn more about its history and see artifacts from Washington’s time.

And because Old Town is located along the Potomac River, I recommend taking a memorable and scenic trip on the Potomac Water Taxi. From Old Town, you can book a trip to the Wharf in D.C. and National Harbor in Maryland. You can see schedules and book tickets online.  

4. Luray

Luray is a perfect weekend getaway destination. It’s just an hour and a half from northern Virginia, which makes it an easy drive. 

Many of the main attractions are also conveniently located close together, so you can easily explore them in a short amount of time. 

Of course, the main attraction in town is the famous Luray Caverns which are the largest Caverns east of the Mississippi River. The caverns are immense and can take an hour or more to explore. Some of the main features of the caverns include the Great Stalacpipe Organ and Dream Lake. 

Right next to Luray Caverns, you can find a number of top attractions in town, including The Garden Maze, Rope Adventure Park, the Shenandoah Heritage Museum, Toy Town Junction, and the Car & Carriage Caravan Museum. 

Across the street, you will see the distinctive Carillon Tower, which features a nice little park and pond nearby. 

When visiting Luray, I also recommend making a stop at several of the other awesome caverns nearby. Skyline Caverns is just 22 miles from Luray and features rare and beautiful Anthodite formations, which like crystal sea anemones.  

Shenandoah Caverns are also nearby and worth a visit. There you can see “Breakfast Bacon” formations, which look like giant pieces of bacon made from rock and hanging from the ceiling in the caverns! 

5. Middleburg

Middleburg is a great destination in Northern Virginia, particularly if you love wineries! You can make a perfect winery weekend by booking a stay at one of the hotels or bed and breakfasts near this charming historic town. 

Within a few minutes of Middleburg, you’ll find some of the best wineries in the region, including Greenhill Winery and Vineyards, which is one of my favorite wineries to visit. They feature excellent, robust wines, and the grounds have lovely rolling hills and a large pond nearby for taking a walk. 

The winery is also very dog-friendly. Some of the top wines at Greenhill include “Blanc de Blancs”, which is a delicious sparkling wine; Petit Manseng Reserve; and “Superstition.”

Other popular wineries nearby include Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg, Boxwood Estate Winery, and Chrysalis Vineyards. You can learn even more about my favorite Middleburg wineries!

And definitely spend some time exploring Middleburg, which features a cute, walkable main street with dozens of boutique shops and restaurants.

Some restaurants worth visiting include the Red Fox Inn and Tavern, which is one of the best hotels and restaurants in Middleburg. The historic setting features a Tavern that serves a fabulous four-course meal with wine pairings.  

And if you’re in the mood for seafood, I recommend King Street Oyster Bar, which features a Happy Hour every day from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm with $7 drinks and $1 oysters. 

6. Colonial Beach

Colonial Beach is a great beach destination in the Northern Neck. It’s one of the best beaches near northern Virginia. In fact, Colonial Beach is the second longest beach in Virginia, second only to Virginia Beach. As a bonus, it is much less crowded than Virginia Beach!

Colonial Beach has 6 different beach areas lined by a sidewalk/boardwalk, plus shops and restaurants like High Tides on the Potomac. 

The Colonial Beach region is also the birthplace of not one, but three founding fathers. You can visit the George Washington Birthplace Memorial Park, which is a gorgeous sprawling property with beautiful water views along Popes Creek.  The national park has a replica of the family home, stables, gardens, livestock, and extensive walking trails.  

The James Monroe Birthplace Memorial is also worth visiting. It features a replica family home that you can tour, a small museum and visitors center where you can learn more about Monroe’s life, and several beautiful wooded trails on the property. 

Other highlights worth exploring nearby include the fabulous Westmoreland State Park, which has campsites, hiking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and several beaches. 

And if you love wineries, you’ll find some great options to check out nearby, including Ingleside Vineyards and Monroe Bay Winery. 

Colonial Beach can be a perfect companion destination to visit along with Kilmarnock, which is also located on the Northern Neck. 

7. Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock is a charming small town located on the Northern Neck in Virginia. It features an adorable and very walkable Main Street, where you’ll find many of the main attractions, restaurants, and boutique stores in town. 

Make sure to stop at the Kilmarnock Town Centre Park, which has a dog park, amphitheater, playground, and walking paths. Also, I recommend the Northern Neck Popcorn Bag, where you can find dozens of delicious savory and sweet popcorn flavors like Chocolate Peanut Butter and Key Lime Pie.

If you venture a little beyond Kilmarnock, you’ll find the fabulous Good Luck Cellars winery and the Ditchely Ciderworks. 

And if you love nature, I recommend visiting the beautiful and serene Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve, which includes trails by the beach, waterfowl, and cute crabs scrambling along the beach! 

For families, Compass Entertainment Complex is your one-stop shop for movies, miniature golf, arcade games, rope courses, VR, and much more.  

Finally, stop by the lovely and historic Kilmarnock Inn. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and the property pays homage to U.S. presidents. It’s a great place to stay the night or get a delicious brunch.  

8. Richmond 

The state capital is another great weekend getaway destination. Richmond is centrally located right off of I-95, which makes it a convenient place to visit from Northern Virginia, Charlottesville, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach. 

Richmond is filled with historical sites like the Richmond National Battlefield Park, which commemorates 13 Civil War battle sites around the city. 

St. John’s Church is another historic site worth visiting. It marks the spot where Patrick Henry gave his famous “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech. 

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts features an eclectic collection that includes Tiffany Lamps, Faberge Eggs, and Egyptian art and artifacts. 

Maymont is another major attraction in the capital city. The gilded age mansion also has 100 acres of gardens and an arboretum to explore.

Richmond is also a great destination for breweries. Some of the top breweries to check out include The Veil Brewing Company and The Answer Brewpub.

9. Stafford

Stafford is a lovely weekend trip that is conveniently located right along I-95. This makes it a great place to visit from Northern Virginia, Fredericksburg, or Richmond. 

Stafford County is home to a number of fabulous parks and nature reserves. Aquia Landing Park is one of the best beaches near northern Virginia. It sits along the Potomac River and features calm waters, wide Sandy beaches, and multiple picnic areas. 

Government Island is a tranquil oasis that is popular for dog walking and hiking through the wetlands and forests. 

Crow’s Nest Natural Area Reserve is a beautiful spot to go kayaking or watching the wetland wildlife.  

Stafford is also home to the excellent Potomac Point Winery and Vineyard, which is a great destination for a wine tasting or evening dinner. 

And if you’re interested in learning more about the history of the region, the Stafford Civil War Park is a fascinating drive through park that contains numerous artifacts, including several batteries and rock quarries. 

10. Abingdon

Abingdon is located in southwest Virginia, which can make it a little harder to reach, however, it is definitely worth the trip! 

The adorable small-town gem is filled with important historic sites, including The Tavern, which is the oldest bar in Virginia and the eighth-oldest bar in the United States! 

You’ll also want to check out a performance at the historic Barter Theatre, which is the state theater of Virginia and has featured top actors in productions there.  

And if you love the outdoors, you’ll want to spend time exploring the Virginia Creeper Trail, which is a 34 mile trail that runs right through the town. It’s also one of the top rails-to-trails in the country!  

11. Waynesboro

No weekend vacation list would be complete without including the largest national park in Virginia! Shenandoah National Park is over 500,000 acres in size, which means there are many places to stay in and near the park. 

Waynesboro, VA is a great option because it’s just 4 miles from one of the entrances to the park, plus it’s only 28 miles west of Charlottesville, VA. In fact, Waynesboro is known as the Gateway to Shenandoah National Park! 

There are even more reasons to visit Waynesboro. You can walk, run, or bike along the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail. The unique trail actually runs through an old railroad tunnel. It is  2.3 miles in length and is marked by endpoints in Afton and Waynesboro. 

If you love art, make sure to stop by the Shenandoah Valley Art Center. The center is the only full-time exhibition gallery in the city. One of their annual highlights is the Virginia Fall Foliage Art Show, which is the largest art festival in the Shenandoah Valley. 

You can learn more about the rich history of the region by visiting the Waynesboro Heritage Museum. It includes two museums that celebrate the history of Waynesboro: the Waynesboro Heritage Museum and the Historic Plumb House Museum. 

The museums include art, artifacts, memorabilia, photographs, writings, and much more that have been collected over the years.

🛏️ Interested in staying in Waynesboro? Book a stay at Residence Inn Marriott Waynesboro! It has a pool, fitness center, and full kitchen! 🛏️

12. Cape Charles

Cape Charles is a charming historic town that is another perfect weekend destination. The town is at the southern tip of the Eastern Shore, south of Chincoteague. It is only an hour’s drive from Virginia Beach, about two hours from Richmond, and about four hours from Northern Virginia. 

One of the biggest local attractions is the striking Cape Charles Lighthouse, with its unique wrought-iron frame. At 191 feet tall, it has the distinction of not only being the tallest lighthouse in Virginia but also the second tallest in the United States! 

Also, make sure to explore historic downtown Cape Charles, which is home to one of the largest collections of Victorian homes in the country! Many of them were constructed from 1885 to 1920.

If you love the outdoors, I recommend visiting the Cape Charles Natural Area Preserve, which features 29-acres amidst a rare Maritime Dune Woodland.

In the warm weather months, Cape Charles Beach is a calm oasis for sunbathing, swimming, and watersports. 

13. Chincoteague

Chincoteague is the famous home of the wild Chincoteague ponies in Virginia! This makes it another great weekend getaway. 

Chincoteague is located on the eastern shore of Virginia. This makes it a great companion trip to Cape Charles, which is about an hour and a half south of Chincoteague. 

One of the most popular activities is to go on a boat tour around the island to see the wild ponies in their natural habitat. This experience can give you the opportunity to reach parts of Chincoteague that are otherwise inaccessible. 

You’ll also see much of the other wildlife in the area, including bald eagles, ospreys, herons, dolphins, and even whales. 

As you can imagine, water activities are a highlight in Chincoteague. You can rent a kayak or canoe for an even more up-close view of the waterways and wildlife of the island. 

One of the other can’t-miss activities while visiting Chincoteague is to try to see a rocket launch at nearby Wallops Island. You can also visit the NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center, which includes more exhibits and information about past, present, and future NASA missions. 

You can find the Wallops Island Launch Schedule online.  

🛏️ Looking to stay overnight in Chincoteague? Book a stay at the Comfort Suites Chincoteague Island Bayfront Resort 🛏️

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